Need advice on running boards

My question is: What running boards would be best for foot traction with snow and ice build up potential and also to use to reach the roof rack when needed? I am 5'5' and had a 3" lift installed. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, I am new, pleading total ignorance and asking for help! I just bought a new 2021 4runner SR5 and have put a whopping 37 miles on it so far
Will be driving back country and logging mountain roads and the like, but not intentionally "4-wheeling".

Apparently I missed having running boards on it even though discussed at the sale. "Discovered" the omission when I picked it up. The salesman said they had some "Predator" rails and set me up to have them installed (additional cost). I have since realized those were not what I had looked at and not sure they are the best for me. Not sure if I can step on them other than on the stirrups...?

So I have been searching the forum and online and admit that I am pretty overwhelmed and out of time since I need to cx the install tomorrow if I can find something more suitable.

Thank you,
kat

 

First, welcome to the forums!

I have running Toyota OEM optional boards on my SR5 and I am a full believer in OEM parts based on years of experience. (I used to work at a Toyota dealer delivering wholesale parts.) To the best of my knowledge, Toyota offers 3 options for running boards for a T4R. There are two that are basically true running boards and one that's more of a tube step. I believe that for your particular situation, one of the "boards" would be a much better option. Although they are both aluminum and steel covered with a plastic top, the design of the top differs slightly. One has a pattern that matches the textured black plastic step area below your rear cargo hatch. The other has a much more heavily textured surface that provides much better traction when coated with snow and ice. (I have that set.) As an added bonus, they do an awesome job of keeping rocks and road debris kicked up by your front tires from chipping the paint on the side of your truck. The downside? If you do any serious off-roading, they're going to get hammered.

Here's what they look like:



Here's a closeup of why these have better traction.

 

if you aren’t looking to crawl then I would go OEM. You can usually grab a set of take offs pretty inexpensively. I have a set of OEM tube steps in my local CL for $75 and I’ll likely be luck to get that.

welcome and enjoy.

 

welcome, if you like the ones in the picture the part number is PT938-89100

 

Welcome to the forum Kat.

 

I agree with @Too Stroked. I have the 2018 version of flat running boards. Great for accessing the roof and offers some mud/rock protection. As mentioned they will get hung up if you wheel hard in big rocks, but I don’t. Plus, my short wife likes them for climbing in.

 

@inw-girl - I know you probably just want to get it done and enjoy your new 4 Runner, but there are some cool aftermarket options out there too if you have any funds left over after your deal. I like the aluminum ones from Greenlane. Don’t forget your US funds are worth more over here, so it’s a good deal.

 

Hi. Wow, thank you, I really appreciate your response. I was kinda going in circles and it helped to decide to cancel the running board install.
Thank you for the picture, I will definitely look at those and keep looking around a bit more before purchasing...soon.
I appreciate the forum.

 

Oh good idea. Thank you! I cancelled the install feel better today just deciding to not install the predator tubes. I appreciate your help

 

Hi Guys, Not sure yet of the etiquette here if answering individually or is better to group a similar response and save space (?) And I do not mind being educated because I am liking this forum

So hopefully not rude. I wanted to say thanks to all of you also responded; adrew0314, JET4, SlvrSlug, ElectroBoy, Oldtoyotaguy .

I really appreciate the time taken to get back to me. Thank you for the welcome. With all of your suggestions and ideas, I decided to cancel the running board install and feel confident now that I will find something more suitable.

Thank you very much!

 

Welcome, you’re doing fine! Lots of good info and folks on this forum.

 

If you want the OEM running boards like I have, keep your eyes open for a used set. To give you an idea, I just picked up a set that came off a 2020 with 300 miles on it and sat in a garage for a year. I paid a whole $60 for the complete set in perfect condition. At that price, I'll keep them for spares.

 

Mine came with the factory Predator steps and my former girlfriend, at 5'3", loved them for getting in and out.



However, I'm 6'2" and didn't need them. Plus, there was barely enough area on them to step on them to get to the roof rack. And, I live on the Idaho/Washington border and we get a lot of slushy snow and they would attract and build up giant blobs of slush and ice. And the last reason I got rid of them was that when going over kelly humps on logging roads, they would catch.

So, I tried to sell them on CL and never got a bite.

I replaced them with the Tyger boards and love the increased clearance, the looks, and the utility for getting stuff out of the roof rack. They worked fine last winter and I had plenty of traction with them. The holes let snow and slush drain through.

But, for me, they don't work great for getting in and out due to my height and I usually just step over them to get in and out. My girlfriend seemed to like them, though.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZT0R19?ie=UTF8







When I bought mine, they were around $280 and I thought a good deal. Now they are $360, so...

If your main concern is ease of getting in and out of your vehicle, accessing the roof rack, and not ground clearance off-road, then this design might be a little better for you...



https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B083ZR6...&pd_rd_r=19d0616a-3e71-4319-b79f-c987d8968817

 

Those Tyger Auto boards would be really nice - if we could get rid of those terrible logos on them!!

 

Mine are OEM anodized aluminum with a rubber non- slip step. $599 fromToyota

 

I'm running the Nfab steps. Very similar to the Predator steps. I prefer their look rather than traditional running boards.

The steps work well, but they do collect slush when driving in winter conditions.

Most people on this forum go with actual sliders which offers better protection. Had I been better informed when I purchased my 4Runner, I may have gone with sliders. From what I've seen on this forum, if you choose the right slider, they can serve as a step too.

 

Thank you !
I am getting a Bambi Bumper like yours also

 

Oh my!
Thank you for sharing the pictures, that is exactly what I want to avoid. I think I am going to look at the electric ones...
Thank you .
kat

 

welcome from SoCali.
look on the market place on this forum or your craigslist and you will fine them for really good price if not offroading stay with OEM i have the tube one that came on a Trd Pro and it works well for me good luck

 

I’m showing that it doesn’t fit but I assume like CAI and Pro Exhaust even though it says it doesn’t fit it really does.

 

Welcome, stay away from the Bambi bumpers. They will cause more damage if you ever hit someone or someone hits the front of your vehicle. There are much better options that even look better. Good luck in your running board search.

 

Those APS Drop Steps are really nice, I like the fact that they have a nice ample area to place your foot, most of them that you see mount so close to the vehicle body you can only manage to get your toes on them to step in.

 

Im kinda partial to these SSO Sliders... I am heavily debating on pulling my stock boards off and getting these

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/5thgen-rock-sliders/

 

I replace my Pred Steps with running boards.

 

Did you get those used or order new?

Mixed messages on fit, I am assuming I should be fine on 2018 SR5P right? And, aluminum and plastic right (my OCD can’t handle rust)...

Thanks!

 

I bought these new. They are OEM for the Trail model and are a little different than the usual black ones I’ve seen used cheep for sale.
I have the on a 2018 ORP no issues installing or fit. Yes typical aluminum and plastic.
I will say this after having the Pred Steps on a 3” lift for years it’s taking a little getting used to as it’s a higher step up than before. I’m thinking my wife is not going to like them as she actually has to step higher now than before.

 

Big fan of NFab Podiums...close up to rocker panels and looks beefy... Mine are on my Tundy...

 

Electric Running Boards
I decided to get the electric running boards due to the concerns I had for snow and ice.
They have worked very well for me this winter. I have not had any build up and have had secure footing getting into and out all winter.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to my post.

 

Don't forget Toyota now makes sliders for the 4Runner. Not as sturdy as other companies but definitely sturdier than the steps as they bolt to the frame.
I went with RCI sliders (5 degree slant) and could not be happier.